Summer flavor in a jar, this strawberry basil simple syrup recipe is the perfect way to harness sweet strawberries and the freshness of basil. Ideal for a strawberry basil soda, a cocktail, or drizzled over your morning oatmeal.
vegan • low waste • refreshing
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Jump to:
- 📝 quick recipe overview
- ❤️ what you'll love about strawberry basil simple syrup
- ✨ unique features
- 🥣 ingredient notes
- 🔪 equipment notes
- 🧑🏽🍳 instruction notes
- Recipe
- 🍽️ how to serve
- 🧊 storage
- ✅ acceptable substitutions and variations
- ♻️ sustainability profile
- 📱 2025 Grocery Glow-up Digital Guide
- waste
- ❓ frequently asked questions
- 🍓 more strawberry recipes
- 🕰️ the latest
Is it dramatic to say this is one of the most refreshing simple syrups you'll ever make? Perhaps. But, it will at least come close to taking that top spot. The flavors in this are delightful...truly like summer in a glass. I love adding some of this strawberry basil syrup to a glass, top with seltzer water, and fill with ice for a refreshing strawberry basil soda. I'm sure you can think of lots of ways to use this simple syrup, and be sure to share your ideas. I can't wait for you to give this a try!
📝 quick recipe overview
- Skill level: Beginner
- Taste: Sweet, fresh
- Waste: Low waste
- Sustainability: Very
- Cleanup: Light
- Ingredients: Common, easy to source
- Equipment: Simple
- Time: Less than 30 minutes
- Kid-friendly: Yes, but be mindful of hot liquid if they assist with cooking
❤️ what you'll love about strawberry basil simple syrup
Sweet strawberry flavor mixed with refreshing basil. The green flavor from the basil is the perfect complement to sweet summertime strawberries, making it a balanced simple syrup that you can easily incorporate into other recipes.
Low waste recipe. This recipe is the perfect use for your strawberry tops (unless you're making this strawberry top simple syrup that's also delicious!), doesn't require you to discard your basil stems, and the cooked ingredients are safe for home composting. Our thyme simple syrup recipe is also low waste and a delicious alternative to strawberry flavors!
Easy to make. You don't need anything fancy to make this syrup that's ready in under 30 minutes.
✨ unique features
Strawberry tops instead of their flesh. Save those strawberry "bottoms" for something else...like a smoothie where you can take advantage of their fiber. You honestly don't need them for this recipe, so stretch that batch of strawberry goodness.
Stevia sweetener. I used Truvia in this recipe, so this is both delicious and sugar-free. That's a unique feature to a simple syrup that usually requires a generous amount of sugar to achieve the desired texture and flavor.
Vegan thickener. Speaking of not using sugar, we still give the strawberry basil simple syrup some "body" by using arrowroot powder. It has no taste and when heated through, you still get a clear syrup.
🥣 ingredient notes
Strawberry tops. While recipes that call for using the strawberry flesh are delicious (I'm sure), it's a bit wasteful for this application. We only need the strawberry tops (that include a bit of flesh on them) to make a delicious syrup. Save your strawberries for something else!
Note: I store strawberry tops in the freezer until I have enough to use. Fresh or frozen strawberry tops will work for this recipe. You can also store strawberry flesh in the freezer until you're ready to use.
Fresh basil leaves and stems. There's no need to discard the stems here, either.
Stevia extract. I used Truvia in this recipe, which can be a little less sweet than other Stevia products, like Stevia in the Raw. If using a different Stevia option, I suggest starting with half the amount and add more near the end, if needed.
Arrowroot powder (optional). The arrowroot powder will gently thicken the syrup and the amount can be adjusted to suit your preferences.
🔪 equipment notes
- Small saucepan
- Fine mesh strainer
- Spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
🚨 Note: This recipe is written with strawberry tops already prepared and ready for cooking. Otherwise, you will need a knife and cutting board to remove the strawberry tops.
🧑🏽🍳 instruction notes
Add strawberry tops, basil (leaves and stems), and water to a small saucepan and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the color in the strawberry tops becomes muted. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Strain the strawberry tops and basil so liquid remains. A fine mesh strainer will work here. If there are any small bits left in the saucepan, give it a quick rinse.
Return liquid to low-medium heat and add stevia and arrowroot powder, stirring occasionally for 5-10 minutes, or until the liquid is mostly clear and reaches a slightly thicker consistency.
🚨 Note: You may find it helpful to create a slurry with the arrowroot powder by incorporating a small amount of water and stirring until it dissolves. Then, add to the simple syrup during the second heating.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and cool before transferring to an airtight container for storage. As the syrup cools, taste it to see if you'd like to add more sweetener.
Recipe
Strawberry Basil Simple Syrup
Equipment
- measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1½ cups water 367g
- 1 cup strawberry tops 87g
- 1 cup basil 17g, leaves and stems included
- 2 teaspoons Truvia stevia extract 10g, I used Truvia Stevia Leaf for this recipe (see notes for other sweetener options)
- 1 teaspoon arrowroot powder 2g, optional for thickening
Instructions
- Add strawberry tops, fresh basil, and water to a small saucepan and bring to a boil.1½ cups water, 1 cup strawberry tops, 1 cup basil
- Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the liquid is a deep red and the reddish hue to the strawberry tops is dulled. Stir occasionally.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes before straining liquid to remove strawberry tops and basil (set aside for composting). Rinse saucepan, if needed before returning to low heat.
- Pour a little water into your arrowroot powder to dissolve it, then stir into saucepan and add Truvia extract.2 teaspoons Truvia stevia extract, 1 teaspoon arrowroot powder
- Heat through, stirring occasionally, until the liquid becomes clear after 3-5 minutes.
- Allow to cool before straining into an airtight container and storing in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Notes
- Granulated sugar: Use equal parts water and sugar or 1 ½ cups granulated sugar for this recipe. If using granulated sugar, please use organic sugar to keep it vegan and sourced from a company that practices regenerative farming. We use the Florida Crystals brand (affiliate link).
- Stevia in the Raw: Start with 1 teaspoon and taste before adding more. Stevia in the Raw is sweeter gram-for-gram than Truvia.
- Any other Stevia extracts: Start with 1 teaspoon and add more as needed.
- We recommend ¼ cup serving size for using in a drink.
- If topping oatmeal or ice cream, start with 2 tablespoons and increase amount as desired.
Nutrition
🍽️ how to serve
Feel free to get creative with serving this strawberry basil syrup! Below are just a few ideas to provide some inspiration:
- Strawberry Basil Soda (seltzer water, ice, and about ¼ cup of this syrup!)
- Drizzled over your morning oatmeal
- As a topping for vegan pancakes
- A flavor enhancer for a cake or its frosting
- Infused in your cocktail or mocktail
🧊 storage
Refrigerator. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Simple syrup can typically last up to a month, but when using fresh fruit as an ingredient, it's best to enjoy while fresh.
Freezer. Pour liquid into ice cube trays or a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 6 months.
✅ acceptable substitutions and variations
Sugar. If you prefer sugar to Stevia, use equal parts sugar and water for simple syrup. In this recipe, that would require one and a half cups of granulated sugar.
Fruit. Strawberry and basil is a classic pairing, but you can absolutely try different fruit varieties. Substitute with different berries or try a summer favorite...peaches!
♻️ sustainability profile
sourcing
Organic strawberries. Strawberries are listed on the Environmental Working Group's 2025 'Dirty Dozen' list, so selecting organic strawberries is recommended. Or, if buying from a local grower, you can inquire about pesticide use with them directly.
🚨 FREEBIE ALERT: Sign up to receive our digital guide to the EWG's 2025 'Dirty Dozen' and 'Clean Fifteen' lists so you have a companion for choosing produce on your next trip to the grocery store.
Garden basil. If you have the option to grow your own basil, that's a great way to use truly fresh herbs in your simple syrup! This is an easy herb to grow, even indoors. Of course, it's not a requirement, so if you need to source from your grocery store or farmer's market that's completely fine!
Stevia. Using Stevia instead of granulated sugar is a more sustainable choice. Sugarcane production is much more resource-intensive than extracting Stevia.
waste
Save your strawberry flesh for a different recipe. We reduce quite a bit of waste in this recipe by relying on strawberry tops for the strawberry flavor.
Use basil stems. For this recipe, there's no need to pick leaves off the stems. Toss it all in there!
Compost ingredients when done. After straining the strawberry tops and basil, the ingredients can be discarded in a home or community compost.
❓ frequently asked questions
Does basil pair with strawberries?
Yes, strawberries and fresh basil are a delicious combination in a variety of culinary applications. Strawberries have a fruity, sweet, full flavor that is balanced when paired with fresh basil that imparts a green, earthy, and sometimes minty flavor to the dish. These two ingredients can be combined in a fresh salad, compote, or infused in a simple syrup.
Can you make basil simple syrup with dried basil?
Using dried basil to make a simple syrup is not recommended. What makes the syrup flavorful is the fresh, green notes of the basil leaves and stems. When dried, basil becomes much more concentrated, but adopts a more savory flavor profile that wouldn't balance well with the sweet syrup.
What sweet flavors go well with basil?
Sweet flavors from ripe fruit is one of the best options to pair with basil. Chop and stir it into a fruit salad, mix in a fruit-forward dessert like shortcake, and blend into fruit smoothies for a refreshing twist. If you're willing to experiment with flavor, basil and chocolate can be a delicious and unique pairing. Yes, basil chocolate brownies and basil-infused chocolate exist!
Does basil lose its flavor when dried?
Basil doesn't lose flavor when dried; rather, the flavor becomes more concentrated. A more concentrated flavor with dried herbs is typical. However, the fresh, green notes in the basil will be lost during the drying process. Dried basil is preferred for more savory dishes.
🍓 more strawberry recipes
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